Depository machine with internal and remote recording



Septll5, 1964 L. G. SIMJIAN 3,148,932

DEPOSITORY MACHINE WITH INTERNAL AND REMOTE RECORDING Filed July 7, 1961 73 I 1 FIG. 1

l II\ E 5| H5 1;] v FIG. 3 EL. 1 1 fixfj if z INVEN TOR. LUTHER G. SI MJIAN BY United States Patent 3,148,932 DEPOSITURY MACHINE WITH INTERNAL AND REMOTE RECORDING I Luther G. Simiian, Greenwich, Conn., assignor to Universal Match tlorporation, t. Louis, Mo, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 7, 1961, Ser. No. 122,502 7 Claims. (Cl. 34622) This invention refers to a recording system for depository machines and has particular reference to a depository machine combined with image recording means for providing documentary evidence of each article accepted for deposit.

In my copending application for US. Letters Patent, Serial No. 44,778, filed July 22, 1960, entitled Depository Machine Combined With Image Recording Means, now Patent No. 3,092,433, issued June 4, 1963, as well as in several US. patents issued previously, such as Nos. 2,936,684, dated May 17, 1960, and 2,930,296, dated March 29, 1960, I have disclosed various depository devices which accept for storage articles such as deposit tags, cheeks, paper currency, documents and the like. These machines include image recording means to record an image of each of the deposited articles.

In its simplest arrangement, the image recording means comprise a microfilm camera which is actuated in response to the receipt of a deposit and thereby provides documentary evidence of each item of deposit as well vices which accept for storage, articles such as deposit in an itemized fashion. The tag usually lists additionally the depositor, his account number, date, instructions, etc.

When machines of this type are installed in bank lobbies, offices and other somewhat protected areas, the actual deposit and documentary evidence thereof is fairly safe from surreptitious removal. Yet, when such a machine is installed in an unprotected or unguarded area, it is possible that burglars may break into the receptacle of the machine and remove the receptacle or a portion of the deposits. In the event of such occurrence, the material obtained by thieves can be determined upon development of the microfilm and comparing the documentary evidence with the actual deposits. Yet, inasmuch as burglars have been known to move entire safes, I do not preclude the possibility that a depository machine of this type may be stolen in its entirety from an unguarded place and that such a machinemay at that time contain one or more deposits. In the event of such a total loss, no records are available as to the prior contents of the machine, which condition would cause a considerable handicap in attempting to balance account books, mai ing out statements to customers who have made deposits and so forth.

I have conceived, therefore, the provision of a recording, means so arranged that documentary evidence of the deposit is provided outside of the depository machine, preferably remote therefrom, and if desired such recording means are in addition to the recording means disposed inside the machine enclosure, thus producing a set of documentary records from which the precise nature of deposits can be ascertained in the event that the actual deposit and evidence disposed inside the machine is removed surreptitiously.

One of the objects of this invention therefore, is the provision of a new and novel recording system for depository machines which avoids one or more of the dis advantages and limitations of prior art devices.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a recording system for depository machines which include image recording means, the image recording means being 3,148,932 Patented Sept. 15., 1964 so arranged as to provide a documentary record of deposits at a station remote from the machine proper.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a recording system for depository machines wherein documentary evidence of all deposits is produced inside the machine as well as at a station remote from the depository machine so that evidence of deposits is available in the event that the machine with deposits and its recording means is removed surreptitiously.

Further and still other objects of this invention will be apparent by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a typical arrange ment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view of an alternative arrangement of the invention, and

FIGURE 3 is a further alternative arrangement of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures and FIGURE 1 in particular, there is shown a schematic representation of a depository machine substantially as depicted and de scribed in my copending application for US. Letters Patent supra. The depository machine includes an enclosure 11, a vertical panel 12, an upper aperture 21 with rollers 61 and 62 disposed toward the rear of the panel, a hingedly mounted cover 15 and a reciprocatory moving article carrying means 25, the latter being exposed when cover 15 is lifted. The reference numerals used thus far coincide with the numerals in the copending application. The operation of the machine as described in the copending application is briefly as follows:

When the article carrying means 25 is disposed at its forward position, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG- URE 1, and upon lifting cover 15, one or more deposit tags are placed on the carrying means. Subsequently, cover .15 is closed and the article carrying means advances into the machine and to the position shown by the solid lines in FIGURE 1. An image recording means disposed overhead is adapted to view the deposit tag and upon feeding sequentially documents, such as checks and currency through aperture 21, the recording means is actuated to provide a documentary record of the deposit tag and all subsequent articles which in turn rest on the article carrying means 25. Typical of this condition is a first currency document or check 70 resting on the article carrying means. When all documents which form a respective deposit have been fed through aperture 211, a pushbutton on the front panel is operated which causes a further record to be taken, in this case a record of the very last article, and subsequently the article carrying means 25 is advanced toward the storage receptacle 71. The articles are unloaded from means 25 and are caused to be stored inside of receptacle 71. This storage receptacle in one form may comprise an arrangement substantially as described in my patent, US. No. 2,981,492, issued April 25, 1961, entitled: Receptacle for Depository Apparatus. Obviously, any other type of deposit storing receptacle, disposed either inside or outside the enclosure 11, could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Finally, article carrying means 25 returns to its original position'ancl if two deposit tags were supplied initially, one of the deposit tags, duly validated, is issued from the machine to serve as a receipt.

In order to provide documentary evidence of the deposit at a remote location, the image recording means usually disposed inside the enclosure has been replaced by a viewing means such as a television camera tube 72 which is connected via a suitable cable 73 or other intelligence transmitting means to an image reproducing apparatus such as a television receiver 74, the latter being disposed behind a building or room wall '75. The face of the television receiver is viewed by an image recording means 76, e.g. a microfilm camera. Camera 76 is connected via suitable control wires 77 to the control means 78 disposed inside the enclosure 11 so that camera 76 is actuated every time a deposit is received between rollers 61 and 62. As shown, pick-up tube 71 replaces the camera provided heretofore inside the enclosure, which camera in the prior arrangement is actuated for recording an image of one or more deposit tags on the article carrying means and an image of each item of deposit, all substantially as described in the copending application.

It will be apparent therefore, that in the event the entire depository apparatus is moved from its location in a surreptitious manner and all cables are cut, or access is gained to the storage receptacle by prying the machine open, cutting apertures with torches, etc., there is provided at a remote location a complete documentary record of all transactions that have taken place inside the machine, thereby enabling the bank or other institution to restore the records in an accurate and precise manner.

Instead of control means 78 being connected to camera 76 by means of control wires 77, it will be apparent that photoelectric sensing means may be used to scan the face of the television receiver 74 and in the event that the picture reproduced thereon changes, camera 76 is triggered, thus obviating the need for the control wires.

A somewhat modified arrangement is shown in FIG- URE 2 wherein the microfilm camera 51 which in its function and location is identical to the camera identified in the copending application for Letters Patent views article 76 through an inclined transparent mirror 81. The depository apparatus has been fitted additionaly with a television camera tube 72 which also views by means of transparent mirror 81 the deposited article resting on article carrying means 25. In this way, articles fed into the machine come simultaneously in view of image recording means 51 as well as viewing means 72. These viewing means are connected by cable '73 to television receiver 74 the face of which is viewed by an image recording means 76. Control means 78 cause simultaneous operation of image recording means 51 and 76 by means of control wires 77 and 82.

A still further arrangement is shown in FIGURE 3 wherein television camera tube 72 viewing article '70 by means of inclined mirror 81 has been replaced by an optical telescope arrangement 90 which extends through wall 75 and through the enclosure 11. The telescope comprises a barrel with one or more lenses 91, an inclined image forming mirror 92 so that camera 76 views the articles inside the enclosure with sufficient clarity and in proper focus. Camera 76 is actuated by either direct control from the depository apparatus or as a function of the changing image on the image deflecting mirror 92 in a manner that is well known to those skilled in the art and has been indicated heretofore.

It will be apparent therefore, that in accordance with the typical embodiments illustrated and described hereinbefore there is provided at a remote location, outside of the depository machine enclosure, documentary evidence of all articles deposited in the machine and articles issued e.g. a receipt. Therefore, in the event that there 1s pilferage of the receptacle or of image recording means associated with the machine or removal of the machine itself, there exists further documentary evidence which is independent ofthe physical confines of the machine itself.

Thus, this arrangement provides important safeguards to the collecting institution and permits the latter to reconstruct records with certainty and completely independent of customer assertions.

For operational details concerning the depository machine itself which details have not been described in sufficient detail hereinbefore, reference is made to the patents and copending application identified heretofore.

While there has been described and illustrated a pre ferred embodiment of the present invention and several alternative constructions thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various further modifications and changes may be made without deviating from the principle and intent of the instant invention which shall be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

7 What is claimed is:

1. In a depository system of the type disclosed for receiving and storing articles of value, the combination of:

a depository machine having means disposed therein for receiving a deposit from a depositor comprising articles such as a deposit tag, checks, currency and the like, and for storing the deposit inaccessible to the depositor;

a station, external to and remote from said depository machine, having image recording means;

viewing and display means, coupled between said depository machine deposit receiving means and said remote station image recording means for viewing and for obtaining an image of each article of the deposit and for transmitting the image to said remote station image recording means for recording thereby; and means coupled to said remote station image recording means for actuating said recording means to record the image of each article of the deposit.

2. In a depository system of the type described for receiving and storing articles of value, the combination of:

a depository having storage means disposed therein,

and means disposed therein for receiving a deposit from a depositor comprising articles such as a deposit tag, checks, currency and the like, and for conveying the articles to said storage means wherein they are stored inaccessible to the depositor;

a station, external to and remote from said depository machine, having image recording means; viewing and display means, coupled between said depository machine deposit receiving and conveying means and said remote station image recording means, for viewing and for obtaining an image of each article of the deposit and for transmitting the image to said remote station image recording means for recording thereby;

and means coupled to said remote station image recording for actuating said recording means to record the image of each article of the deposit.

3. In a depository system of the type described for receiving and storing articles of value, the combination'of:

a depository machine having storage means disposed therein, and means disposed therein for receiving a deposit from a depositor comprising articles such as a deposit tag, checks, currency and the like, and for conveying the articles to said storage means whereby articles received in said machine are rendered inaccessible to surreptitious removal therefrom;

a station, external to and remote from said depository machine, having image recording means; viewing and display means, coupled between the in terior of said depository machine and said remote station image recording means, for viewing and for obtaining an image of each article of the deposit and for transmitting the image to said remote station image recording means for recording thereby;

and means coupled to said remote station image recording means for actuating said recording means to record outside of said machine the image of each article of the deposit received inside said machine.

4. In a depository system of the type described for riceiving and storing articles of value, the combination 0 a depository machine including an enclosure,

storage means disposed within said enclosure,

means disposed within said enclosure for receiving a deposit from a depositor comprising articles such as a deposit tag, checks, currency and the like, and for conveying the articles to said storage means whereby articles received in said enclosure are rendered inaccessible to the depositor and inaccessible to surreptitious removal therefrom;

first image recording means disposed within said enclosure for recording an image of each of the articles received, and

viewing means disposed within said enclosure, for viewing and for providing an image of each of the articles received; a station, external to and remote from said depository machine, including second image recording means;

image transmitting means, for interconnecting said viewing means and said second image recording means, and for transmitting the image provided by said viewing means to said second image recording means for recording thereby;

and means coupled to said first and said second image recording means for actuating said means to provide a recorded image inside said enclosure and a recorded image outside said enclosure of each article received inside said enclosure.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said viewing means comprises a television camera and said image transmitting means comprises a signal link and television receiver.

6. A system according to claim 4 wherein said viewing means comprises an optical lens and said image transmitting means comprises a mirror.

7. In a depository system of the type described for receiving and storing articles of value, the combination of:

a depository machine including an enclosure;

storage means disposed within said enclosure,

means disposed within said enclosure for receiving a deposit from a depositor comprising articles such as a deposit tag, checks, currency and the like, and for conveying the articles to said storage means whereby articles received in said enclosure are rendered inaccessible to surreptitious removal therefrom,

first image recording means disposed within said enclosure for recording an image of each of the articles received,

viewing means, disposed within said enclosure, for viewing and for providing an image of each of the articles received;

a station, external to and remote from said depository machine, including second image recording means; image transmitting means, for interconnecting said viewing means and said second image recording means, and for conveying the image provided by said viewing means to said second image recording means for recording thereby;

and means coupled to said receiving means, said first and said second image recording means for sensing the receipt of articles by said receiving means and for actuating said first and said second recording means to respectively provide a recorded image inside said enclosure and a recorded image outside said enclosure of each article received by said receiving means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,294,809 Smith Sept. 1, 1942 2,914,746 James Nov. 24, 1959 2,923,587 Zipf Feb. 2, 1960 2,930,296 Simjian Mar. 29, 1960 

1. IN A DEPOSITORY SYSTEM OF THE TYPE DISCLOSED FOR RECEIVING AND STORING ARTICLES OF VALUE, THE COMBINATION OF: A DEPOSITORY MACHINE HAVING MEANS DISPOSED THEREIN FOR RECEIVING A DEPOSIT FROM A DEPOSITOR COMPRISING ARTICLES SUCH AS A DEPOSIT TAG, CHECKS, CURRENCY AND THE LIKE, AND FOR STORING THE DEPOSIT INACCESSIBLE TO THE DEPOSITOR; A STATION, EXTERNAL TO AND REMOTE FROM SAID DEPOSITORY MACHINE, HAVING IMAGE RECORDING MEANS; VIEWING AND DISPLAY MEANS, COUPLED BETWEEN SAID DEPOSITORY MACHINE DEPOSIT RECEIVING MEANS AND SAID REMOTE STATION IMAGE RECORDING MEANS FOR VIEWING AND FOR OBTAINING AN IMAGE OF EACH ARTICLE OF THE DEPOSIT AND FOR TRANSMITTING THE IMAGE TO SAID REMOTE STATION IMAGE RECORDING MEANS FOR RECORDING THEREBY; AND MEANS COUPLED TO SAID REMOTE STATION IMAGE RECORDING MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID RECORDING MEANS TO RECORD THE IMAGE OF EACH ARTICLE OF THE DEPOSIT. 